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Hi Andrew You may wish to explore an integral theory (Ken Wilber) approach to the questions you ask. It is a divide but this need not be - we need to transform our thinking, our epistemologies, our ontologies, our pedagogies (the way we - teach, learn, assess, use language, come to know, our very being). Embedded in my action research, living theory methodology is integral theory. I find the theory extremely useful and a powerful tool - it provides a comprehensive framework. Useful and powerful for the Arts and Sciences - it is inclusional, combines perspectives in one framework - Wilber's Big Three - Subjectivity, Culture and Objectivity. Wilber argues that there are 4 dimensions, perspectives, realities in his quadrant model / AQAL, all quadrants, all levels - 4 pronouns describe them - "I" (individual subjective, the self), "we" (collective intersubjective, the other, shared values and vision), "it" (Individual actions, objective) and "Its" (collective interobjective, shared actions and structures). A useful tool to explain and understand any aspect of reality (Integral Art / Aesthetics, Integral Economics, Integral Ecology etc.). Wilber suggests that Natural Sciences in their pursuit of Objectivity (Positivism) are reductionist, meaning a valid but partial epistemology and ontology - a flatland - fragmented knowing and being. On the other hand a focus on Subjectivity is also reductionist - a valid but also partial knowing and being - a wonderland, dreamland. Marxists focus on modes of production (shared systems and structures) as the predominant influence on consciousness is also a valid way of knowing and being, but is also reductionist - incomplete understanding. Applying integral theory to a work of art then, the art form, the work, the painting, the dance, the sculpture. The "it" explains the form, the work of art, the "I", the self, who the artist is, their being etc., the "we", the shared values, culture, the "ubuntu", and the "its", the social, economic, political context of the artist (shared systems and structures). There is a vast literature on the web. The John F Kennedy University in California USA offers courses in Integral Theory, certificates, Masters degrees, research centres etc. Also search Ken Wilber. Lawrence -----Original Message----- From: Practitioner-Researcher [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Andrew Henon Sent: 31 July 2012 01:27 PM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Method as theory at 'Practice makes perfect' I am interested in the percieved divide that is becoming prevalant that the arts and science are somehow divided and that 'Science' has a superior form of methodological approach and that the 'Arts' are in someway a lesser discipline. I do not see them as seperate disciplines just different parts of human exploration each complimenting the other. I can say that without the arts and abstraction into communication we would have neither forms of humman representation and would be imprisoned in our own minds with no means of keeping information outside ourselves or any means of sharing it. Whilst the language of mathematics is a synthetic truth and a language that attempts to describe the world it is the arts that help us discover who we are as individuals and our relationships with others. It is the use of the arts and science by us that create our cultures and enable us to respond to our different contexts. There is as much creative exploration in each discipline as the other as much fact and fiction and imagination in either and in both. I do not enjoy living with the notion of the unknown it does not feel comfortable but I am releived that it remains larger than what we think we know. I embrace the thought of the unknown and live with it and work with it, the unknown shapes my practice. My practice is my living educational theory and as I live my life my practice is shaped. It may be 34 years of pragmatism in socially engaged arts will require me to rethink, reflect and move on but then is that not what we do as in art so in life? I have attached an abstract that has been accepted for inclusion into 'Practice makes perfect' conference at Swansea Metropolitan University http://www.smu.ac.uk/practicemakesperfect/ Andrew Henon ________________________________ "This e-mail is subject to our Disclaimer, to view click http://www.dut.ac.za/pages/22414"